President Goodluck Jonathan pledged Thursday in Abuja that he will do all within his powers to ensure that all Nigerian territory still held by terrorists and insurgents are totally liberated before 29th May.

Receiving a delegation of Heads of Customs from the West and Central African Region of the World Customs Organisation led by the Secretary-General of the organisation, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, President Jonathan said that he was determined to hand over a country completely free of terrorist strongholds to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

The President said that ongoing military operations in the North-East had already recorded huge successes, with two states completely free from the control of terrorists, while operations in the third state had reached a concluding stage.

“We can now say two states are completely free from terrorist control, while in the third state, it is only in one Local Government Area that they are still present. That is in the Sambisa Forest,” he said.

President Jonathan noted that the military had already moved into the forest to seize the remaining camps of the terrorists, adding that the recent rescue of about 300 abducted girls and women was further evidence of the success being achieved in the ongoing operation.

On his decision to concede victory to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, before all the results of the presidential elections were announced, President Jonathan said that elections must be approached from a nationalistic point of view.

“Our elections should be about where Nigeria is going. If Nigeria is moving forward, it is for the good of all Nigerians. My children and grandchildren will live and grow in this country and contribute to it.

“I always tell my colleagues to leave office when their time is up. We are trying to encourage African leaders not to remain in power as kings until death,’’ he said.

Mikuriya commended the President for supporting the reform of the Nigeria Customs Service, noting that other African countries had already started emulating the vision, strategy, adoption to new technology and result- oriented training of officers that were captured in Nigeria’s reforms.

[Huhuonline]

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Never one to holster an opinion, Mike Tyson had a distinct take – some would call it scalding hot – on Floyd Mayweather’s assertion that he’s the greatest fighter of all time.

Tyson, the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history, didn’t agree with Mayweather and offered some bold and maybe at times bizarre words on the current pound-for-pound champ.

“He’s very delusional,” Tyson told Undisputed Champion Network. “He can’t listen. If he was anywhere near that realm of greatness with Ali, he’d be able to take his children to school by himself. He can’t take his children to school by himself and you’re talking about he’s great? Greatness is not guarding himself from the people. Greatness is being accepted by the people.

“He’s a little scared man. He’s a very small, scared man.”

For what it’s worth, though, his opinion on Floyd Mayweather the person isn’t clouding his opinion on the fight. In fact, he really doesn’t have a lean either way.

“It’s gonna be an interesting fight,” Tyson said. “At first I took Pacquiao … you know, this is gonna be interesting. I know it’s gonna be a good fight regardless of who wins. It’s going to be a good fight, both guys are going to be up for this fight. I think it’s going to be a knockout; I don’t think it’s going to go the distance.”

[Yahoo Sports]

The post “He’s Delusional And A Scared Man” || Mike Tyson Rips Into Mayweather For Saying He’s The ‘Best Ever’ appeared first on Ekekeee.

It takes a lot for a man to betray his emotions in public and according to The Punch, Ifeanyi Ubah did just that on Thursday, April 30.

Ifeanyi Ubah needs little introduction. He is the The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria(TAN)–that body that promised President Jonathan 12 million votes and which boasted that it had secured over 12 million votes for the President ahead of the presidential ballot.

Here’s how The Punch puts it:

Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, on Thursday, wept profusely at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 election.

TAN was the major group that spearheaded the re-election campaign of the President even before he formally announced his decision to seek re-election.

The group organised zonal rallies in the six geopolitical zones of the country in its bid to convince the President to run for a second term in office. It claimed to have collected about 12 million signatures from Nigerians who wanted Jonathan for a second term and presented same to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, at the grand finale of the rallies in Abuja.

Ubah betrayed his emotion during the presentation of the report of the Senator Ahmadu Ali-Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation at the Presidential Villa.Ubah suddenly burst into tears while party chiefs were taking turns to speak on the party’s electoral loss.

He continued weeping until an unidentified man ushered him out of the venue but he later returned into the hall after he had been calmed down.

After the presentation, Ubah quickly entered one of the buses that conveyed them to the venue without talking to anybody. Ubah is the Deputy Director, Contact and Mobilisation of Jonathan’s campaign organisation. He is also the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas.

Awwwh. How totally touching! May we also add that Ubah’s Capital Oil benefits immensely from Nigeria’s graft induced fuel subsidy regime?

There you go.

The post #ThingsWeHear: Ifeanyi Ubah Wept Uncontrollably At The Villa Yesterday For Jonathan’s Election Loss appeared first on Ekekeee.

The post Dear Nigerians, You May Finally Have Petrol To Run Your Lives Again And Here’s Why [READ] appeared first on Ekekeee.

We can tell you for free that the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, is under immense pressure to resign.

During the week, we brought you the story that the powerful State Governors in the country at a recent meeting in the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja,  told Mu’azu who goes by the incongruous moniker of “game changer”, that his days in the party are numbered.

And now, a chieftain of the PDP, Alhaji Yinka Ajia, has called on Mu’azu to resign with immediate effect.

In a statement on Thursday in Ilorin, Ajia said that Mu’azu failed to mobilize the party for victory in the just concluded general elections.

According to him, the poor outing of President Jonathan in all the States of the North-West and in many States of the North-East were enough to question Mu’azu’s managerial ability.

He said, “The poor performance of the President in Bauchi State, the home of the PDP chairman, is another reason why the party should have a new leader.”

On Wednesday, the PDP secretariat released a statement to say Mu’azu was going nowhere and would see out his tenure which expires in 2016. 

We’ll be watching this unfolding drama in 3D.

The post This PDP Chieftain Says “Game Changing” Chairman Adamu Mu’azu Just Has To Go appeared first on Ekekeee.

Emma Eneukwu who is the Vice Chairman of the APC in the South-East region of Nigeria , allegedly slapped the party’s governorship candidate in the just concluded general elections, Okey Ezea, following a heated debate over a ministerial slot in the cabinet of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

The incident occurred on Thursday during a meeting of South-East APC leaders at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Ekekeee has been told.

The meeting was chaired by Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and APC chieftains in the South East like Chris Ngige and Osita Izunaso, were all in attendance.

Ezea said APC Vice Chairman in the region, Eneukwu dished him a hot slap because he was insistent that the Nsukka zone where he hails from should produce a Minister in the next dispensation since they haven’t produced one lately.  Tempers rose thereafter and slaps became the main menu on the meeting table.

Ezea said he accused Eneukwu, who is from Udi, Enugu West Senatorial Zone, of angling for the ministerial slot for himself and being so uncultured and violent about it.

A text message sent by Ezea to Ekekeee read;

“Emma Eneukwu slapped me today because I told South-East leaders that Nsukka has not been (sic) minister since 1999.

“He did this before Rochas, Ngige, Izunaso, J. O. J, Gen. Eze, Ucha etc.

“I just said the truth and requested justice and equity in the affairs of our party and Enugu State.

“Emma (Eneukwu) wants to be minister by violence. Emma is from Udi Local Government Area which has been producing minister since 2007, including the incumbent, Chinedu Nebo(sic).”

This incident underscores the jostling for cabinet positions across the country in the Buhari led administration which will be inaugurated on May 29.

The post Following A Heated Debate Over Ministerial Slot, Enugu APC Vice Chairman Slapped Governorship Candidate appeared first on Ekekeee.

The Duchess of Cambridge is in hospital to have her second baby. Latest reports say Catherine who is Prince William’s wife is in early stages of labour.

Kensington Palace confirmed she was admitted to the private Lindo Wing of St Mary’s hospital, west London, in the early hours of Saturday.

The Duchess and her husband, Prince William, do not know whether they are having a boy or a girl. The child will be the Queen’s fifth great-grandchild and the fourth in line to the throne.

Overseeing the birth will be a medical team led by Guy Thorpe-Beeston, surgeon-gynaecologist to the royal household. Alan Farthing, surgeon gynaecologist to the Queen, will assist. Both medics were present at the birth of the Cambridges’ first child, Prince George, in July 2013, the UK Guardian reports.

The Kensington Palace statement read: “Her royal highness the Duchess of Cambridge was admitted at 0600hrs to St Mary’s hospital, Paddington, London and is in the early stages of labour.

“The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s hospital with the Duke of Cambridge.”

The birth will be announced publicly only after the Queen and other close family members have been informed. Aides are then expected to make public the sex and weight of the child, as well as the time of the birth. Details will given via official Twitter accounts before a more formal announcement is later placed on an easel outside Buckingham Palace.

There had been stories all through last week that Kate was well past her due date and may be hormonally induced.

The post Royal Baby Watch: The Duchess Of Cambridge, Kate Will Be Having Her Second Baby Soon appeared first on Ekekeee.

Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said at no time did she wash her hands off the hire of PriceWaterHouse Coopers, the firm which examined the NNPC’s books for a set period and whose report was recently made public.

In a statement from her Special Adviser, Paul C Nwabuikwu, Okonjo-Iweala said even though she was at the forefront of opening up the NNPC’s books for scrutiny, it was the Auditor General who hired PwC.

“The forensic audit was actually proposed by Okonjo-Iweala as the best way to get to the truth following the disagreement (and widely conflicting figures) between former CBN Governor (and current Emir of Kano) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the NNPC over Sanusi’s allegation of unaccounted for funds.

“Her proposal was accepted by President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the Senate, and the President subsequently directed the Auditor-General of the Federation to lead the work. The Auditor-General later appointed PwC to carry out the audit.

“Okonjo-Iweala therefore respects the process which produced the audit”.

She said she hasn’t disowned the audit firm in any way.

“Contrary to reports by Premium Times and some other media, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has not disowned PriceWaterHouse Coopers, the international audit firm which carried out the recent audit of the alleged unaccounted for $20 billion.

“But requesting the audit is of course not the same thing as hiring the auditor. This was why we made it clear in our last press release that the suit filed against Dr Okonjo-Iweala before a Lagos High Court by SIAO Partners alleging that she appointed PwC to carry out the audit is frivolous and uninformed.

“We urge the relevant media to update their information based on this clarification. Many thanks.”

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Last night, we brought you the story of Ifeanyi Ubah weeping profusely at the Presidential villa in Abuja over the defeat of incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan at the ballot.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Ubah broke down during the presentation of the report of the Senator Ahmadu Ali-Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation at the Presidential Villa. Ubah suddenly burst into tears while party chiefs were taking turns to recount their electoral loss.

In an interview with The Vanguard, Ubah said after investing a lot in the activities of TAN, it is only natural that he feels hurt and hard done by.

“We are happy about the  impact we have made in the polity. I believe that within a  very short period of time we will be able to make our mark on the political landscape. We were able to draw attention to the activities of government as well as mobilise the grassroots for a more robust political engagement”, he said of TAN which boasted it had secured 18 million votes for President Jonathan before the first ballot was cast in anger.

On funding for TAN, he denied the organization was bankrolled with slush funds from government coffers.

“TAN was not funded with government money. TAN is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO). We have a lot of friends that have been supporting us. Political campaigns cost so much money, so it is natural to expect that we spent good money on our media and grassroots campaign. We are glad that our members and supporters were very supportive in contributing towards these campaigns. I believe that Jonathan is a good man who meant well for this country and I supported him.  One thing that attracted me so much to Jonathan is the love and passion he has for Nigeria”.

Asked if he has any regrets that his candidate didn’t win, Ubah said he does.

“Yes and no. You don’t invest and wish that the investment would go the way this one went. The election has come and gone, I would not like to open the old wounds especially when the main actor in the whole episode has conceded defeat.  We have to move ahead at this juncture. We must unite to move Nigeria forward. Jonathan has conceded defeat to General Buhari.”

Ubah, who runs Capital Oil,  was indicted by the committee set up by the federal government to investigate the fraud in the oil subsidy regime, but he says it was all a witch-hunt.

“The  Aig Imoukhuede committee, without giving me the right of fair hearing, declared that it had indicted me for fuel subsidy scam. The Committee claimed to have indicted me even when their findings showed that we imported the products . It was a farce. The Committee clearly had a mind-set of what it wanted to achieve.  I believe there was a bit of conspiracy against me. It was all geared towards taking over my company.

“I stood firm in resisting the injustice. I dragged the Federal Government to the House of Representatives and insisted on a public hearing so that they can prove their case to the whole world.  The committee  made mistakes”.

He said he wishes the incoming administration of Muhammadu Buhari all the best and advised the APC to forge an enduring relationship with the Igbos who still feel that the party doesn’t mean well for them, especially in Lagos.

You can read the full interview here.

The post Crying Ifeanyi Ubah Says He’s Still Pained That Jonathan Lost The Presidential Election appeared first on Ekekeee.

Akwa Ibom governor and Senator-elect, Godswill Akpabio, has a piece of advice for all candidates of political parties who were defeated in the just concluded 2015 general elections – do not waste your time and money on going to election tribunals seeking to have election results cancelled.

Speaking during May Day celebrations in Uyo on Friday, Akpabio said the state’s workers had in 2014 assembled themselves and by early 2015, long before the first elections, endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for the governorship.

While observing that the labour force in the state represents voters in every family, unit, ward, and in every local government across the entire state, Akpabio emphasised that no one can make it on his own unless the owners of the state (cue: the working class) gave their endorsement.

According to him, “For those who lost the elections and are still clamouring to go to tribunal, I want to remind them that nobody, I repeat nobody has ever been governor of Akwa Ibom State except the labour force in Akwa Ibom approved of him in advance.

“In 2007 the labour force in Akwa Ibom State endorsed me; in 1999 the labour force endorsed former governor Victor Attah; in 2003 the labour force still endorsed Obong Attah for a second term. In 2007 the labour force in advance endorsed me despite the fact that we were 57 aspirants and I was successful. And in 2011, the labour force, despite all the politicking came together and endorsed me for a second term and I won.

“In 2014, the labour force came together and by early 2015, long before the first elections, they endorsed Udom Emmanuel. The labour force represents voters in every family, in every unit, in every ward, and in every local government across the entire state: you cannot make it on your own unless the owners of the state, the workers endorse you.”

Akpabio continued, “So, today we have a governor-elect; my appeal to you all is forget about tribunal; do not waste money in the tribunal because you cannot change the hands of the clock.

“God has spoken through the people, God has spoken through the workers, come back and join your people to build your state. Let us solidarize with the governor-elect of the state and all the elected representatives and ensure peace and harmony in Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

Akpabio noted that his party’s ‘internal arrangement’ provided that the next governor should come from the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, having had governors from Akwa Ibom North-East and North-West respectively.

The post Akpabio Has An Advice For #NigeriaDecides Losers – Election Tribunals Are A Waste Of Time And Money appeared first on Ekekeee.

Music fans in Lagos who bought tickets to attend a Lauryn Hill performance may feel reasonably aggrieved that the show never happened and the former Fugees vocalist can explain.

“Hello Lagos, Nigeria! We are disappointed to report that we will not be performing at tonight’s (May 1) concert. From our end, we did everything we were supposed to do, including waiting at the airport for many hours, ready to fly out and share the evening with you.

“Unfortunately, after much effort, the promoter was not able to get all of our travel arrangements taken care of. This prevented us from being able to fly into Nigeria in time to make the concert. We were all very excited to come, and very disappointed that we couldn’t make this one. HOWEVER, we are working to reschedule our appearance ASAP. From what we’ve been told, the promoter intends to honor all tickets sold. Our best to and for Lagos. Love and Blessings!”, she said through a statement.

The organizers also held their hands up in apologies.

“Due to Ms Lauryn Hill‘s flight issues, the organizers of May Day Live and Ms Lauryn Hill management have concluded to postpone the show. A new date will be communicated soon. All Tickets bought will be used for the new concert date. Meanwhile a party will still hold today at Eko Hotel starting from 7pm, feel free to come and party as no tickets are required.

“The organizers of May Day Live apologize for any inconvenience.”

The post Lauryn Hill Was Billed To Perform In Lagos Yesterday Until Flight Wahala Happened appeared first on Ekekeee.

First, an apology for abruptly suspending #HistoryClass. I had to take that drastic step because in Nigeria’s just concluded political season, we found that nothing was sacred, and I did not want this being used for all sorts of nefarious ends.

Today’s #HistoryClass draws heavily on the work of Professor Ademola Iyi-Eweka, Anthony Okosun, Michael Uchebuaku, and Andreas Joshua Ulsheimer, who visited Lagos in 1603. Oba Ewuare ascended the Bini throne in 1440 and put the kingdom into a period of rapid expansion with his formidable professional army. During Ewaure’s 33 year reign, Benin expanded its territory east as far as Onicha (Onitsha), West as far as today’s Togo, south as far as the Atlantic coast, and north as far as today’s Kogi state. Ewuare successfully laid the tradition of imperial annexation of coastal Yorubaland. Why did Ewuare suddenly become interested in coastal Yorubaland?

In 1472, the Oba was visited in his court by the Portuguese explorer, Ruy de Sequeira. After that visit, the Binis and the Portuguese exchanged ambassadors, and signed a trade pact. The Oba of Benin and the King of Portugal agreed that international trading ports should be built in some locations along the West African coast where the Oba had influence and control. As a result of this, the Oba had to firm up on his control of those areas.

Oba Ewuare died in 1473, and his death was followed by internal struggles following the assassination of his son, Esi, at his coronation. Esi was succeeded by his brother, Ezoti who reigned for two brief years, then Olua, Ewuare’s third son, who spent his five year rule bringing dissent to heel. Olua was succeeded in 1480, by his son, Ozolua. Ozolua, who the Binis renamed Ozolua n’Ibarmoi, Ozolua the Conqueror, resumed the expansion of the Bini Empire starting with conquering the Kingdom of Owo in his first year as Oba. Ozolua was to reign for 34 years, and when he died, there was a brief civil war between his sons Esigie and Arhuaran. Esigie won, and while he wasn’t a warrior king, he administered his kingdom quite well. Esigie was succeeded in 1547 by Orhogbua.

Now, when Orhogbua was the Edaiken (Crown Prince) he had been sent by his father, Esigie, to Portugal for schooling, and had trained at a naval school. Orhogbua as a result, understood the importance of sea power. When he returned, and ascended the throne, Orhogbua set about establishing a chain of camps along the coast. One of the generals he sent, was a man named Osodin, who set up a permanent garrison in Mahin, and Ilaje community, and renamed it Eko Osodin (Osodin’s Camp).

By 1550, Isheri Olofin, Ido, Ebute Metta, Oto-Olofin and other coastal Yoruba communities in the area fell to superior Benin invading army, and began paying tribute directly to Osodin, and thus indirectly, to Orhogbua.

By that time, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade had taken off, and Benin’s allies in Portugal wanted more and more slaves. Lagos quickly became a major slave trading port with slave holding centres established at Apongbon (corruption of the Edo word Agbongbon, meaning “New World”), Oyingbo (corruption of the Edo Oaigbon, meaning “Place of Slaves”) and Igbosere (corruption of the Edo Igbonashelen, meaning “Sold Slaves”). Osodin also established a naval base, Kuramo (corruption of the Edo, Eko Amen, meaning “Water Camp), and a prison camp, Ikoyi (corruption of the Edo, Eko Oyi, meaning “Camp of thieves”).

Following the death of Orhogbua in 1580 after a reign of 33 years, Benin was ruled by his son, Ehengbuda for 22 years. Ehengbuda died in 1602 on his way to put down a rebellion in Badagry, and was succeeded by his son, Ohuan who was weak, and lived very long. Ohuan ruled for 54 years, and was not interested in expanding the Empire. As a result, many of the generals in charge of the various camps began to fight each other, and establish, and consolidate their own kingdoms. One general, Isidahome, for example, established the Kingdom that became known after him as Dahomey.

Lagos, and other towns like it, were established because the Portuguese wanted trade, and needed someone local to do it. Direct control of Lagos and most of the Atlantic Coast in West Africa remained strong and then declined during Oba Ohuan’s long reign. However, Obas after him still collected tribute from these places until Ovonramwne was sacked by the British in 1897.

*@Chxta is on Twitter

The post #HistoryClass With Cheta Nwanze: How The Bini Established Lagos appeared first on Ekekeee.

Earlier, we had told you that Kate Middleton had gone into labor and well, she’s now delivered a baby girl for the royal family.

The newborn is the royal couple’s second child and a little sister for Prince George who was born in 2013.

The new baby is fourth in line to the throne behind Grandfather Prince Charles, Dad, William and big brother George.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expectedly overjoyed at the moment.

The baby girl is set to be named in the coming days.

The post It’s A Princess: Kate And Prince William Have Just Announced The Birth Of Their Baby Girl appeared first on Ekekeee.

If you had anything to do with President Jonathan pre-election, brace up: you just might be the one who gets blamed next at this rate.

Quite frankly, we’ve never read a more strongly worded statement from the behemoth that was once the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party alleges that the President’s aides who contributed to his loss have been flirting with the opposition and have been using their closeness to the President to ensure that the National Working Committee (NWC) members lose their duly elected jobs.

Recall that we had reported that PDP Governors had asked party chairman Adamu Mu’azu and his NWC members to “come and be going?” If you needed any feelers as to whether the PDP is in disarray or not, this afternoon’s press statement is all you needed, really.

And because we just suck at story telling, read the full statement from the PDP as signed by National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, below:

PDP Statement

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has issued a very strong warning to some ambitious aides and associates of President Goodluck Jonathan trying to use their closeness to him to cause crisis in the party and pave way for more defection to other parties.

The PDP said it would expose such individuals and make them face the full weight of the party disciplinary measures if they fail to immediately retrace their steps.

The NWC in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh on Saturday said it is “aware of the clandestine activities of such aides and associates of the President including their unholy alliance with some elements in other parties to undermine and weaken the PDP by attacking its leadership.

“The NWC is aware that these same individuals who mismanaged the presidential campaigns are now desperately seeking to cause crisis in the PDP with a view not only to divert attention from their misdeeds but also to ensure that they remained politically relevant by hijacking the party structure for their selfish purposes.

“We are aware that these individuals have been trying to arm-twist the President to summon a meeting of party leaders at the Presidential Villa in the coming days where the NWC members would be put under pressure to resign thereby triggering a crisis in the leadership at the national level.

“The party is aware that the same group has been sponsoring series of amorphous bodies and negative publications in a section of the media to peddle false allegations against the NWC to back their heinous and unconstitutional demands that the President should sack the NWC before the handover date of May 29, 2015.

“However, for the purposes of clarity, especially for those making uninformed demands on the President, the PDP National Working Committee is duly elected and its tenure ends in March 2016 in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution. The PDP is a party built on the rule of law and democratic ethos. Its NWC is elected and not appointed and as such cannot be sacked at will or by an executive fiat. Besides, no section of the party constitution prescribes that the NWC should quit if the party loses in a general election.

“Furthermore, the PDP constitution is clear on the process of summoning a meeting of party leaders and the role of the NWC in that regard is well-defined. Anything outside the laid down rules and the provisions of the constitution in this respect is completely of no effect.

“Moreover, President Goodluck Jonathan has amply demonstrated his strict adherence to the rule of law and the tenets of democracy even on issues of party administration and should not in anyway be hassled by these selfish and greedy elements to destroy his legacies.

“Consequently, the leadership of the PDP by this statement makes it very clear and in an unambiguous terms too that it will no longer condone such divisive actions by the same unscrupulous individuals who in their selfishness ruined the fortunes of our great party in the general elections.

“The NWC will no longer tolerate actions that tend to undermine discipline and the supremacy of the party and its constitution, as it will henceforth not hesitate to apply full disciplinary measures for infractions.

“Our advice to these ambitious aides and associates of the President is to leave party matters and concentrate on the Presidential transition and smooth handover of power to the incoming administration as well as preparing for post-handover issues that might arise regarding the administration in which they served”, the party stated.

On the issue of the performance of the party in the general elections and allegations of mismanagement of Presidential campaign funds, the NWC said it has no case to answer, as Nigerians already know the truth regarding those who managed the campaigns including the funds.

“Nigerians are not at loss as to the fact that the PDP NWC did not manage the campaign and its fund. Those who managed the campaigns have already submitted their reports to the President who in his wisdom gave them the mandate and they have been applauded for a job well done at that level”, the statement said.

The NWC said it appreciates the support and backing of key stakeholders especially the PDP Governors’ Forum, the body of national vice chairmen and state chairmen as well as governors, legislators-elect and all well-meaning members in the all-important effort to rebuild the party and reposition it to regain power in 2019.

The post Fam, The PDP Has Just Blamed Jonathan’s “Ambitious Aides” For The President’s Election Defeat appeared first on Ekekeee.

Eunice Jonathan, the mother of President Goodluck Jonathan, has commended the military Joint Task Force (JTF) for donating a borehole to Akipelai community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The borehole, which is sited at the premises of the Community Secondary School, Akipelai, was commissioned by President Jonathan’s mother, a native of the community.

She thanked the JTF Commander for his efforts towards eradicating illegalities in the Niger Delta region.

The president’s mother also commended him for the professional approach in carrying out the mandate of the task force and urged the people of the community to give him the necessary support to fight oil theft.

She urged youths of the community to protect the borehole against vandalism.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the JTF Commander, Emmanuel Atewe, a Major General, commended the Akipelai community for toeing the line of his Zero Tolerance Campaign against illegalities in the community.

He applauded the community for not indulging in any act of oil theft which he described as economic sabotage against the Federal Government of Nigeria.

’’The people of Akipelai are in total support of this fight and we must continue to identify with them by supporting them in the area we can.

“We are donating this as a mark of appreciation to this community for not involving in illegal oil bunkering and oil theft,’’ he said.

He urged the people of the region to continue to support the task force to carry out its mandate in the Niger Delta.

‘’Illegal oil bunkering and oil theft degrades the ecological system, thereby creating a health hazard to the inhabitants of the community. It is an act capable of causing health damages.’’

He also promised to donate some sporting kits to the community.

In his welcome address, the Chairman Akipelai council of Chiefs, Chief Meni Etuere Owolo, thanked the JTF Commander for what he described as military, social and institutional responsibility to the community

The monarch pledged the community’s support in the fight against oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the area.

Dignitaries at the occasion included component commanders and principal staff officers of the JTF, traditional rulers, National Youth Service Corps members, women and youth leaders of the community.

(NAN)

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Alhaji Tanko Yakasai is the Chairman of the Northern Elders Council and a politician who has hung up his gloves, as he claims. What he doesn’t say is that he is a dyed-in-the-wool conspiracy theorist.

Yakasai has said in a chat with The Punch that the North of Nigeria conspired to vote out Goodluck Jonathan because he wasn’t seen as one of them. He also says that his Northern Elders Council (NEC) has long been at loggerheads with the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) because the NEF just wants to polarize Nigeria.

“The Northern Elders Council is an organisation made up of northerners who believe in a new Nigeria. We were opposed to the stand of the Northern Elders Forum because they were fighting for only the North; they were not fighting for Nigeria. We felt that the way they were dealing with the issue of Jonathan was so sectional that if they were left unchecked, they would harm the unity of this great nation. We do not oppose somebody because we hate him. The fact that they are opposing somebody just because he comes from a particular area or a particular religion is what we do not like”, Yakasai said.

Yakasai said Jonathan lost because he isn’t a Muslim and added that Northern elders and religious leaders in the region incited the people against voting for the incumbent.

“Jonathan was not contesting as a southerner; he was contesting as a Nigerian. They (NEF) were opposed to him because they were northerners and they did not want him to contest. They did not say why they did not want him to contest except that they were northerners and they would not vote for him. In their interviews, they stated clearly that the North would not vote for Jonathan and clearly the North did not vote for Jonathan. It was clear that it was a premeditated action, it was not natural. It was a collaboration between various actors, including some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, some traditional rulers, some religious leaders and some politicians that incited the people.

“While openly the election was not fought based on religion, the voting was guided by and was largely on the basis on religion. People were asked not to vote for people who were non-Muslims. If you go to a mosque and you have an imam asking his congregation not to vote for somebody except somebody of the same religion, then he (the imam) is asking people to vote based on religious sentiment, which should not be the basis of elections. The basis for an election should be on the programmes of the party of the individual contesting; what they promise to do for the people in the country, not about religion. In a country that has roughly 50 per cent Muslims and 50 per cent Christians, it will not augur well for people to vote for a candidate based on his religion. It is not in the interest of the country”.

You can read his full interview here.

The post ‘The North Voted Against Jonathan Because He Isn’t A Muslim’ || Alhaji Tanko Yakasai Has A Story appeared first on Ekekeee.

The South-West PDP Presidential Contact and Mobilisation Committee can’t get itself to stop congratulating President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat despite noticeable irregularities during the last election season.

According to it, that move has allowed Nigeria to remain united and prevent an outbreak of post election violence.

The group also called on defected members to return and rebuild the party, since the All Progressives Congress had boldly declared that it had no place for them.

One more thing, the party committee also vowed to resist any attempt to impeach Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose.

Rising up from a closed-door meeting held on Friday in Ado Ekiti, a press statement read by Olabode George left no doubts as to how the PDP felt about Fayose and where it thought his loyalties lie.

George said, “People like President Jonathan are very rare to come by. He accepted a flawed election for Nigeria to stand united. Can those who have not been sworn in and have started threatening to impeach a PDP governor do this?

“PDP lost the elections because of unresolved issues and due to the handiwork of enemies within, coupled with the conspiracy by [Independent National Electoral Commission] Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who wisely made Nigerians have the impression that the election was free and fair when it was not.

Speaking on his impeachment travail, Fayose himself had this to say, “I am a member of the PDP and nobody can harass me because of my political belief.”

The post “Nobody Can Harrass Me Because Of My Political Belief” | Ayo Fayose Lays A Challenge To The APC appeared first on Ekekeee.

The Senator-Elect for Lagos West Senatorial District and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Solomon Adeola has called on the incoming Federal Government and relevant financial and auditing regulatory bodies to appropriately sanction the auditing firm, PriceWaterHouse Coopers (PWC) for misleading and deceiving Nigerians on the issue of the missing $20billion NNPC fund as alleged by the former CBN governor and present Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Speaking to journalists against the backdrop of revelations from the ‘Forensic’ Audit Report of the Missing NNPC $20billion and the disclosure by PWC that it did not really audit NNPC accounts contrary to impression created, Hon. Adeola said his Committee that addressed the Press on the need to make the report public as there appears many shortcomings in the procedure for engaging PWC and its subsequent work, has been vindicated on its alarm that an unprofessional work might have been done to deceive Nigerians on the weighty allegation of missing billions of dollars .

“From the disclosures by PWC on its work, there is no audit report on the missing money much less a ‘forensic’ audit report. From what was done by PWC, only a review and compilation of some figures was done resulting in different figures from $1.4billion to $4.3billion being bandied for refund by NNPC to the coffers of the Federation Accounts”, he stated adding that PWC not only misled and possibly defrauded Nigerians by purporting to have undertaken a forensic audit report and collecting fees for same but may have abetted a criminal cover up of fraud in its role in the investigation.

The senator-Elect called on the incoming Federal Government to investigate the PWC for it role in the shady saga that has now unfolded and report them to such bodies as International Federation of Accounts (IFAC) and ICAN to face disciplinary actions adding that the accounting firm should be suspended and prevented from further participation in similar exercise undertaken by the Federal Government.

“For such a highly rated auditing firm to release such a report is dangerous and unethical. Indeed all other reports by PWC for the Federal Government should be investigated as they were also involved in the Fuel Subsidy Investigation and they should be made to refund money for work not done or done appropriately” Hon. Adeola stated.

The Lagos West Senator-Elect commended the incoming administration for its promise to revisit the issue of missing NNPC funds as a step in the right direction adding that the deceptive cover up role of PWC in this investigation must not be overlooked as it strikes at the heart of constitutional provisions and the development of Nigeria.

“We are talking about $20billion and not millions. This is almost the budget of Nigeria for about two years”, Hon Adeola stated.

The post One Senator-elect Has Called For PricewaterHouse Coopers To Be Investigated For Misleading And Defrauding Nigerians appeared first on Ekekeee.

Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi has one clear point to make – he does not owe any civil servant in his state.

He made the clarification in response to a statement credited to Governor-elect Nyesom Wike.

Speaking through his Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, at the weekend, Amaechi said the Peoples Democratic Party was being mischievous by its deliberate resort to falsehood.

“We find it ridiculous that PDP and Mr. Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike’s media managers show a lot of mischief and deliberate distortion of facts,” she said.

“We thought that if they lied during campaigns and electioneering, with the election over, they would switch over to the basic media style of information sourcing, verification and analysis.

“The rudimentary step in that is the sourcing and use of data, a critical segment available to even cob reporters”.

Amaechi then proceeded to flip the accusation the other way, saying it was the PDP that owes Rivers people the return of its revenue diverted by the federal government to other states as well as millions spent by his administration to fix federal roads in the state.

“Governor Chibuike Amaechi has paid civil servants up to the month of March with plans to commence payment for the month of April.

“Gov. Amaechi had committed himself to the welfare of Rivers’ civil servants these past seven years and had exemplified that by the regular payment of salaries in the face of dwindling national revenue.”

Rivers State is one of less than five states in the federation that have been able to keep up with salary payments in the face of empty federal coffers.

“While apologising on the recent delays in salary payment, Amaechi reiterated that civil servants must receive their wages for each month.

“The PDP’s mismanagement of the national revenue, as well as its elevation of corruption to a national religion, has been responsible for dwindling federal allocation. In recent times, the Federal Government has had to withhold allocations meant for states, Rivers State being one of such unfortunate states.”

Governor Amaechi also had one more thing to say about Wike’s possible motivation in accusing him of owing public workers.

“The Amaechi administration has nothing to hide. However, we must put the records straight as to the root cause of PDP’s paranoia.

“The party’s candidate, who was declared winner of the April 11 governorship election, with his team, is coming to loot the treasury of Rivers State.

“With several thugs hired to commit electoral malfeasances for the PDP – with about 11 ‘elected’ into the state House of Assembly – who must demand their settlement, the state treasury will be sucked dry.

“To begin to prepare the minds of civil servants who consequentially will be owed months of salary, PDP had to raise the falsehood,” Semenitari noted.

The post I Don’t Owe Civil Servant Salaries | Amaechi Believes Wike Is Just Being ‘Ridiculous’ appeared first on Ekekeee.

Abuja  – Nigeria’s military is confident it has Boko Haram cornered, but a final push to clear the Islamist militants from their forest hideouts is being hampered by landmines, it said on Saturday.

“Everywhere they have their havens, they have mined it all around,” Major General Chris Olukolade, spokesman for Nigeria’s defence headquarters, told Reuters in an interview.

Boko Haram grabbed a swathe of the northeast and caused a global outcry when it abducted over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok.

A counter-attack was launched in January after a six-year insurgency that killed thousands and forced more than 1.5 million people from their homes.

The army says Boko Haram has now been pushed into the vast Sambisa forest in Borno state. The group has made no public comment since its last audio clip, in early March, a pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State group that has seized swathes of Syria and Iraq.

The militant group was not available for comment. It communicates erratically via hard to verify videos posted online or sent to a few journalists.

Nigeria launched a ground offensive into Sambisa last month following aerial bombardments and says over 13 Boko Haram camps have since been dismantled.

“The Sambisa forest is another place that is seriously mined … A major obstacle to the move,” Olukolade said.

“By intelligence reports, we have many more (militant camps) and they must be destroyed.”

Boko Haram has been pushed back before but Olukolade said he hoped the military would be able to hold its gains through aggressive patrols and now that Cameroon, Niger and Chad were combating the militants.

“This tendency to escape into safe havens out of Nigeria is becoming very remote. The likelihood of them surviving this assault and coming back is low,” Olukolade said.

Unlike in recent months when troops from Niger and Chad were operating inside Nigeria to help the counter-insurgency, Olukolade said there was no significant presence of foreign soldiers on Nigerian soil any more and only the Nigerian military was involved in the Sambisa offensive.

- Reuters

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